Sex Ed Escapes Committee But Opponents Wait In House

Legislature '90

TALLAHASSEE — Schools would be able to set up health clinics and dispense birth control to teens with parental permission under a measure that passed a House committee Wednesday.

The proposal is part of a comprehensive bill intended to reduce Florida's rising teen pregnancy rate by requiring sex education in public schools.

The Health Care Committee unanimously approved the measure despite opposition from anti-abortion lawmakers who object to school-based health clinics. But opponents reluctantly voted for the bill after efforts to remove the clinics failed on a 6-9 vote.

Pro-choice activists, who support the clinics, were elated and surprised at the unanimous vote.

''I think it's great,'' said Carolyn Pardue, a lobbyist for Planned Parenthood of Florida. ''This gives schools options they never before had.''

Anti-abortion groups said they will try to remove the clinic provision at the bill's next stop, House Appropriations.

''When they hand out condoms in the school, it gives the appearance of school-approved fornication,'' said Carole Griffin of Big Bend Right to Life in Tallahassee. ''We have a lot of people in the House who are very concerned about this bill. The fact that it came out of here does not mean it will pass.''

Lawmakers have been looking for ways to reduce Florida's teen pregnancy rate - the fourth highest in the nation - since last August. They decided on a comprehensive approach that focuses on sex education and preventive health services.

Florida already requires schools to teach children about sexually transmitted diseases and the values of abstaining from sex. At least 48 counties also offer some form of sex education.

Under the proposal approved Wednesday, sex education would be required in grades kindergarten through 12. The courses would be geared to the age and maturity of students. Parents who object to the programs could exempt their children.

In addition, the measure would provide about $13 million a year in state grants to establish health services, such as nurses or clinics, at schools that want them.

Rep. Chance Irvine, R-Orange Park, who opposes abortion, argued that the clinics would be too costly and unnecessary. She said it would send children a conflicting message by offering them condoms while teaching abstinence.

But committee chairman Elaine Gordon, D-North Miami, said merely telling kids not to have sex is ignoring reality.

''We tell kids all the time, 'Do not do that.' And guess what? They do it all the time,'' Gordon said.

Clinic proponents said that parents would have to sign two permission slips, one for their children to use the clinic and a second to receive birth control.

Proponents say the clinics would provide a variety of health services that children from rural and low-income families often don't receive.